ABSTRACT
Based on microfabrication technology and electrochemical modification method, a micro electrochemical sensor for nitrate ( NO-3 ) determination was developed. A micro sensor chip with working electrode and counter electrode was used as the signal convertor of the sensor. The area of the micro working_electrode was only 1 mm2 . As an electrocatalysis sensitive material, copper was electrodeposited onto the working electrode by square_wave pulse current electrodeposition method. The morphologies and components of freshly deposited materials were examined by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ) and X_ray diffraction ( XRD) to explore key factors that affected the electrocatalytic ability of the deposited copper layer for reducing nitrate ions. The experimental results revealed that under the optimal conditions, the deposited copper layer was macroporous and had a larger effective surface area that could serve as a more effective electrocatalyst in facilitating nitrate reduction. Electrochemical response of the macroporous copper layer was characterized by linear sweep voltammetry in acidic supporting electrolytes ( pH=2 ) . The electroanalytical results showed that the modified microsensor had marked sensitivity for standard nitrate samples within the concentration range from 12. 5 to 3000 μmol/L (in the range of 12. 5-200 μmol/L yielded straight line:y1=-0. 1422x-10. 326, R12=0. 9976, while in the range of 200-3000 μmol/L yielded straight line: y2=-0. 0984x-22. 144, R22=0. 9927) with a detection limit of 2 μmol/L (S/N=3). The developed electrochemical microsensor was also employed for nitrate determination in water samples collected from lakes and rivers near the city of Beijing. The results were in good agreement with the data given by qualified water quality detection institute, with the deviations from 3 . 9% to 15 . 4%.